Local pianist competes in World Championship showcase

May 29—ROCKINGHAM — John Patrick Hutchinson, 12, of Rockingham, was featured in the World Championship Old-Time Piano Players Showcase on Friday.

He's studied the piano for six years under Dr. Valerie Cox in Southern Pines. Hutchinson primarily plays classical music, but developed an obsession with ragtime after a trip to Disneyworld.

"I like playing ragtime music because it's fun for the player and the listener both," John Patrick said in a press release. "It's fun for the player because of the complicated rhythms and the fun melodies. Some of the ragtime pieces require playing all over the piano, so it's fun for the audience to watch the player, as well as listen to the music."

Some of his favorite ragtime composers include Scott Joplin, Jelly Roll Morton, Paul Pratt and James Scott.

He was part of the junior division, which is open to piano players up to age 18. The performance was held virtually.

Nic Wilkes with Richmond County Hospice designed a set in the Hutchinson family home that keeps with the style of both the periods of the pieces performed.

Pianists are asked to pick two contrasting styles of piano pieces, usually from different musical history periods. John Patrick performed both classical and ragtime for the showcase.